I’ve lived in Rhode Island for a number of years, but I grew up outside of Philadelphia. I went to a ton of concerts at the Spectrum during my high school and college years in the 70s. My first Grateful Dead show was at the Spectrum in September 1972. So I HAD to come down to Philly for this show, which was one of the last shows at the Spectrum before it was demolished (I believe that there was one last Pearl Jam concert there after the Dead shows.) We just KNEW that the Dead would bust out “Samson and Delilah”, and it was so appropriate that they played it as the encore. It got a huge response from the crowd, but when Bobby sang, “If I had my way, I would tear this whole building down”, I couldn’t help shedding a few tears.

I just relived one of the best moments of my life as a philly native . For anyone wondering what people think of this show6 years later Samson and Delilah still gives me chills !

The only lyric that Phil sang in BEW was "And it looks like the old man is getting on"..every time that part came around, phil kept belting it out. It was truly one of those you had to be there moments. Goosebumps. Phil will be 70 in a few weeks, his liver transplant is 10 years old...every moment with Phil is a blessing.

Poor placement of He's gone and i really miss the old school girl version. Not diggin this new one nearly as much. Best Mason's I've ever heard made up for it, strong set closer.

I had been calling for phil. The night before, it seemed bobby had taken over. I wanted PHIL. He heard me. This second set, to close the specturm, clocks in at almost 2 hours. Words don't even come close. Sometime in Cumberland Phil takes off and doesn't let up the rest of the night. Bomb after Bomb. We were in the phil zone, that's for sure. He was drawing me in with his bass and we were exchanging some brilliant 3rd eye, mind reading energy.

After Morning Dew (first of the tour!), phil and bobby gave each other this fist pound, like WOW, FUCK YEA! That Was SMOKIN! Never forget that moment...It was the first break in the action all set. St. Stephen?! They just got better and better as the set wore on! "gonna be allright!"... set over? not quite. HELP ON THE WAY?! The place nearly exploded...Phil takes slipknot to some places I've never heard before or since. Really, you need to listen to this slipknot.

Tear this old building down!... we all knew samson was coming.. What a way to send out this historic venue. My first and only shows there.. Only venue that the dead have played in the 60's, 70's, 80's, 90's, 2000's. There's a banner that has the # of sellouts the dead has played there... 60 something?... speaking of the spectrum, you gotta hear the 9-21-72 show...especially that dark star>grass jam>morning dew, but that's for another time. Thank You Boys making this sure the monstrosity that it was.

Great show. Yay! It's Morning Dew! Yay!

Wonderfully crisp and deep recording! Yay!

Now, Mongroove, the nice Mr. Haynes gets to use any and all of the effects he wants to. He's been around awhile, paid his dues and probably knows what he had in mind for his performance that night. It's his gear and he can shake it any way he wants to.

Cool show. I burned it immediately after hearing how nice the recording was. Yay!

One of the best shows of the east coast leg of the tour. We had it blasting from our van outside. I remember the very intense "drums-space-other one" nicely complimenting the atmosphere as the cops rolled up and down Shakedown st. yelling and we feverishly kept making Jerry Rolls. Thanks for having it here. Slime-ball

Wow! A great show AND I get to post my review after the man himself, Jdarks! A privilige and an honor.

Not sure what I can say that hasn't been said before, this was an awesome show with almost everyone in the audience singing along with every song. The energy was palpable, just dripping off the ceiling.

My only critique is that I wish that Warren would be a little more conservative with the use of some of the effects. I think he is an outstanding guitarist but sometimes the effects he chooses diminishes from the overall musical experience.

yes it is 2009 and the dead are still playing!!
isn't this great? wow what a great show from start to finish. great set list = great playing!!
can you think of another great 60's/70's/80's band playing at this level===and to top it off i can listen to the concert the next day again because the DEAD allow this to happen. does anyone wonder why there are still so many old deadheads and new deadheads? it is because of archive and the great tapers! thanks for sharing your great music=we will pass it on to all who wish to hear and then some!!! keep up the great work and great playing.
deadheads forever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What a show this was. Like Phil said "the energy here is second to none". What a blast. The One More Sat. opener got things going right away. THE PHILLY DEW are alaways tops. Thank you Marcus for an incredible recording. Thank you Dead for an incredible weekend in Philly. Let's do it again soon!!

Went to both shows in Philly and both rocked. Thank you Marcus for an excellent taping which brought back some great memories.
God Bless the Dead!

I wasn't there, but I listened to the Sirius broadcast as I was BBQing out in sunny California...can't wait for the Forum show and Shoreline!

I got too see a Sturday Night opener once, on a Sunday...

http://www.archive.org/details/gd86-05-04.sbd.miller.12088.sbeok.shnf

Bob's guitar broke the night before so they didn't do the encore. They opened Sunday's show with the "encore" from the night before...god I love the Dead...

All I can say is wow lol. Seemed like the boys were really havin fun, it shows in the music.

I've had alot of good times at the Spectrum & I couldn't think of a better send off for a venue that holds many good memories for me.

Thanks guys for one more kick ass weekend :) .

I moved to Akron, Ohio, from Philly a few years back. It was great to go home and see two spectacular shows with my girlfriend and two of our friends.

I loved sharing this with all of my friends from the area, but we also met so many friendly people and shared so many wonderful moments and experiences with them the joy it brings truly feels enlightening. You know what I'm talking about.

The music is there for you to hear so I don't have to describe it much. The vibe was intense though. The building literally shook and rumbled. I was at the top of section 326 and I could see and feel everything. I saw this incarnation of The Dead from the floor at both Penn State in October, and Wilkes-Barre 4-22, verrry close--but those did not compare to what happened at the Spectrum. We shared the whole thing with the band and I know they could recognize that as well.

The sound quality of this recording is superb. The music is on point with great tones, the crowd is loving it, and the recording captures this combination very well. Thank you tapers.

Thank you performers for recreating magic with us all--for and from everybody.

Let Warren sing Jerry's songs! Other that that epic second set.

I'm shocked that no one mentions that they pulled out the Dew at this show!!! The first one and maybe the last on this run.

I can't wait for Denver.

for those looking for Hartford, it was on Dime

Probably the most memorable show i've attended.
LOUDEST! for sure.
the crowd energy was Astronomical.
it's a bitter/sweet last show for me (happy to say that this show was my last, but of course I'd love to see more . . . )
and is it just me or did they actually play up to speed!!!
what a show man, what a show

Excellent set list, playing, and sound quality!

This is the reason we follow them around. Make-your-jaw-go-slack good.

I drove from Nothern VA on Sat afternoon to be there for this one. I am originally from NYC and th Spectrum has always been a part of my DeadHead life. Always felt the energy there was amazing and th 5/2 show was no different. I was
on my feet all night! Thanks for getting these out to us so fast and the quality if supreme !
Enjoy the rest of the tour and here's hoping for MORE !!!!

Whaddya' mean you can't find Hartford? It's available for dowload at Dead.net for a lousy 16 bucks. C'mon folks, you gotta buy the stuff and keep these guys goin'. They support us by letting the free stuff hang here for the taking. Give some of it back and buy a show or two. Trust me. As good as the audience stuff has become, there is nothing like a good board to straighten your spine and make the hair stand up on end. And it is so easy these days. To get my first tapes I had to borrow two reel to reels then deliver them to the guy who had the tapes and wait until he was ready to spin something...anything. We're getting spoiled.....

Uncle Johns Band>Mason Children in the first set. Unreal Good Lovin'>Cumberland with an Other One>Drums>Dew. Holy Moly. Can't wait for Shoreline. By the way, outside in the stars is the only way to go.

Best show I've seen in recent years. Everybody in the band sounded like Garcia on the Garcia tunes. Every song on the setlist made me almost mess my pants, even from the very last row in the back of the Philadelphia Spectrum. The entire arena was cloudy, thanks to all of us, and even though I could hardly breathe I was not going to stop dancing. The entire concert was different than anything I've seen before. One More Saturday night to start, and Sampson and Delilah to end is something I've never seen or heard before. It made me feel almost special. Thanks to everybody who made it an awesome evening!

Excellent! Can't wait for them to get to The Gorge May 16 with The Allman Brothers and The Doobie Brothers. It all sounds great! Thank you...thank you.

The Philly Dates have had incredible setlists. The recordings and the performances have been unbelievable. I have to make mention of the crowd noise in the spectrum shows though. Are we Philly fans that into it? I know technology has gotten good enough to block out the overwhelming majority of it, but there is a lot in the philly shows (and from different tapers). I saw them in State College and DC (not nearly as loud), and they just keep getting better. I'm a little disappointed I couldn't make the Garden and Philly, but at least I can get it here. Thank you to the tapers and The Dead!

LISTEN TO IT.

!!!!!!!

amazing job by the taper and the band just rips it apart!!!

I can not find the Hartford show. You Tapers rock.
I need a copy bad. Please let me know.

While not having the oppurtunity to see the Worcester shows (out of town) I am very grateful to all the tapers who have allowed us to at least hear these shows, which keep getting better each show. Thanks big time to the tapers and the Core 4 for getting together again and giving us some great music. I am rating this by the quality of this upload not because I was there. Can't thank the tapers enough!

My first Spectrum show was 9-21-71 , I saw them close out JFK and now the Spectrum.

It's like losing old friends....and the band keeps playin' on :)

Last nite was so special...The crowds energy was maxed out....at one time the spontaneous noise between songs gave goose bumps...

The band played great , much better than Friday nite. It was high energy and fun.

The band has been the soundtrack for my life and and I thank then for being the center of such a fun universe !

God Bless The Grateful Dead .

I was there for both nights.. started in Nassau and toured all the way to the Spectrum.. the lot scene at the Spectrum was insane.. was in a drum circle for a long time.. The 5/2/09 Spectrum show is probably the best I've seen since Jerry died.. INCREDIBLE is the only way to describe it. 6 out of 5 stars. My only complaint is that there is nowhere to dance in the Spectrum. But the show was fabulous amazing grand epic you name it. Don't ask questions, just download and listen!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Can anone help with why it takes so long to download this show? Each song seems to take about 15-20 min. I download the flac files. Am I right that the speed it is downloaded here is the speed I download at? I can't control how fast I download? Any help would be appeciated.

WOW...What a weekend of great music, friends & good times. The energy level was insane, the band sounded great, the crowd was pumped...let there be more tours in the future...

Great stuff... my friend was their the last two nights but I'm waiting for Shoreline next week...Does anyone have the Hartford show??? It's the only show I don't have yet!!!
Thanks Tapers!!
G-man

When The Dead opens a show with a tune that's traditionally an encore, ya know you're gonna get quite a workout. The boys took turns opening the show, giving us a full spectrum of voices to tantalize our ears. Bobby belted out SATURDAY NIGHT, Phil crooned BROWN EYED WOMON and Warren's bluesy voice did ALTHEA it's own justice. Bobby & Warren also tore up some blistering guitar riffs during SATURDAY NIGHT & GOOD MORNIN' LITTLE SCHOOLGIRL. As if the PHILadelphia crowd wasn't already boiling over with enthusiasm, The Dead pulled out a couple sing-alongs for us; HE'S GONE --> UJB. Phil helped us get our feet back on Terra Firma and closed the set with MASON'S CHILDREN, making it all too obvious: Philly phans love Phil Lesh and Phil Lesh loves Philly phans! Before the encore he complimented us "The energy here is 2nd to none."
The 2nd set in The City Of Brotherly Love started out hoppin' with GOOD LOVE --> CUMBERLAND.Tonight's version of GOOD LOVE sent me back to the Brent days with Bobby & Warren trading lines & Riffs. Just as we were shakin' off the spacedust, the band blasted us off again into CRYPTICAL --> THE OTHER ONE --> DRUMSPACE --> MORNING DEW. Wow! What a great set..couldn't get any better... wait, yes it could! ST. STEPHEN --> REVOLUTION and my favorite suite; HELP-->SLIP-->FRANK wishing us all safe journeys home.
When the '09 tour was announced, I said we'd get a SAMSON to bid The Spectrum farewell. I heard "They only play that on Sundays." I was sure they'd pull it out and they did. On A Saturday night in Philly, The Dead closed their 54th and final consecutive sell out at the soon to be demolished Spectrum with "I WOULD TEAR THIS OLD BUILDING DOWN." After the SAMSON & DELILAH encore, Phil expressed his love for us again (3rd time tonight). Phil's last words on the stage of The PHILadelphia Spectrum were "BE KIND."

Call it what you want, but that was the Grateful Dead. Everything was Grateful about that. What a vibe!! The Shakedown, The set list, the music was so on. A++ . By far the best I have seen since 1995. what more can you ask for? They ripped that place down last night. What a way to say good bye to the Spectrum. Both shows Stellar. Left me filled and wanting more! I had no expectations and am just overwelmed with satisfaction right now. I almost forot what it felt like. So great to be able to feel the music like that again. Thanks so much for posting these shows, cant wait to hear them again.

I was at the Roseland show in March. This was my second of the tour. The band is much tighter, focused and playing wonderfully. Not the Grateful Dead but the best post Jerry group. I've been listening to all the shows as the wonderful tapers post these shows the next day. I'm biased, since I was there, but this one is maybe the best so far. Wish the tickets had been cheaper so I could have afforded more than one. Dare I say that even the vocals are great.

To the taper. I posted my thoughts on the forum, so I won't be redundant. Good Show, Good Time!

They are definatly getting "the sound"down pat.
There are moments when Warren sounds like Duane Allman(He's Gone).
I love the energy of the crowd.Philly has always been a energetic city when it come to The Dead.
As far as setlist goes it is THE SHIT!!!!!!!!!!
I hope they announce New Years or Fall Tour where they play "INDOORS" here in San Francisco or Oakland!! How about 3 nights Oakland Coliseum New Years Run 2009!!! Shoreline to me does not capture the whole essence of the band.Indoors is much better.
This show rocks.4 stars!

This was an awesome show...definitely one of the highlights of the tour!! I was at MSG also, but there's just something about the Spectrum and Philly and the Dead that made this one blow the roof off! Haven't seen this kind of energy in a LONG time....thanks so much...and thanks for posting this so quickly...much appreciated!

It's prety frickin' amazing to wake up after a good sleep following 48 hours of insanity with The Dead in town, log in, and already find last night's show uploaded here. Thanks, bro, whomever you are! Well, they tore down The Rectum last night in style. Every time Phil sang, the place went insane (listen after his vocals in St. Stephen). This was my own personal 35th anniversary tour with The Dead - I went to 6 shows - and have to say last night was pretty hard to top - especially Set II. One for the ages. When they tear down the building, sound bites from Jerry will still be floating around the atmosphere here.

I can't believe how cool you tapers have been to us this tour. Thank you thank you thank you. I just got out of a hard midnight shift at work and literally craved what I knew one of you angels had waiting for me when I walked in the door just now. Look at this show. I'm giving it five stars and I haven't even listened to it yet. But now I'm going to . 5 4 3 2 1 . Happy May .

I was there last night and The Dead tore up The Spectrum. I was there earlier in the week for Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band. As amazing a show as Bruce's was, The Dead last night took the cake. The crowd was out of their heads(literally)all night long. Set two was a killer. Opening with OMSN and closing with Sampson and Delilah (with the pending destruction of The Spectrum) the crowd went absolutely nuts everytime Bobby sang i would tear this old building down. Marcus you recordings of both 5/1 and 5/2 are top shelf. Thanks for your hard work and effort into making both of these night's available to the rest of us! An historic night last night most certainly was. Not just another Saturday night!!!!!

Thanks